Tips for fly swap flies

[motroutbum]

I know I have only participated in one fly swap on this site, but I have some tips for the people who do participate. I meant to post these after the fly swap we had in October, but lack of having a computer with internet kept me from posting.

When you pick a fly for the fly swap, dont pick a fly you have never tied before. If you do, dont let the first fly you tie of that pattern be a fly for the swap. You should tie several if not a dozen before you start tying for the swap. Get your brain and fingers used to the proportions that are necessary for the fly to turn out right.

One of the things I noticed was some poor quality of the flies that were tied. Several of the ties would not be fishable due to the head of the fly being covered with tying thread. one way to solve this, is to tie, and to tie often, not just once a week or every two weeks. but try to tie half a dozen flies every day or every couple days. another way to solve this is to use thread that is sized correctly to the size hook you tie. This is an exaggeration, but you dont see people tying on size 16-20 hooks with size 3/0 thread. make your heads clean. I realize that probably none of you tie for money, but at least try to make your flys look like something you would want to buy.

The more you tie, the better you will get...I also realize that most of you are probably thinking "well I dont have time to tie that much!" If you want to get better, then tie more and tie often. The more you do it, the better you will get.

These are all just suggestions, Im sorry if i offend anyone, im just speaking from experience.

Just my $.02

Randy

[The Caddis]

Randy,

I agree with what you said. Now that I have said that, time is a valuable commodity, I have 3 kids and some nights I don't have time to tie. I do find time about 3-4 times a week to tie, and do tie about 6-10 a session. You are right, the more you tie the better you get, my flies now compared to a month ago, 3 months ago and even further are better proportioned, and more fishable.

Thanks for sharing.

[Terry Beeson]

I'm not so sure I agree with everything said about this. Maybe I'm missing the real idea behind the fly swap, but my take is that I get more of a thrill from just RECEIVING flies from some of the guys in the swap. I have several from swaps that came from Canada and states outside the Missouri/Arkansas area. Those may never see the end of a tippet simply because having the fly is more special than any fish it might catch.

As for tying quality, not all of us spend that many hours at the vise during the week. Other duties seem to get in the way and find priority over tying a half dozen or dozen flies. I've received flies from tiers that were what I would consider "sub-standard" quality at best. But I enjoyed the idea of swapping with that person. This is all a learning experience for most of us. I consider myself still quite the novice at tying. I don't tie perfect flies and don't force that issue on myself. I must be able to tie very fishable flies, since I have caught fish on most every pattern I've ever tied. Even the first fly I ever tied - a wolly bugger - brought several nice 'Bows to hand.

If the idea of the fly swap is to get the highest quality flies, then I need not join any fly swap and I tend to believe there would be but a few on this forum that would qualify.

That said, I DO think there should be some effort by the individual to make the due date, have the correct number of flies, and do whatever reasonable job he is capable of doing in tying the flies.

Then again, maybe this is why I have been reluctant to get in many of the fly swaps lately...

Just my opinion for what it's worth... and that ain't much...

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Well said Terry! I concur 100%. The idea of a swap, as I see it, is to share your talents (standard or sub-standard) with other's who enjoy this aspect of our sport. I also think it's a learning adventure to try and tie the best you can and to see what other's are doing as well. I'll freely join any and all swaps that I can and keep/fish all flies received. And I include myself in the novice category of fly tying. Just my 0.02.

John

[Kicknbass]

I believe that your position is some what elitist. (not trying to offend)

Most of the folks on the forum are amateur fisherman and amateur tiers. The tiers are at all differant skill levels, and are in the swap to improve their skills and knowledge of the sport and hobby. Some of the flies aren't pretty, (those would be mine) Others would be work's of art, (those would be Dano's) All of the flies will catch fish with the right presentation at the right time.

Remember the amateur does it for the love of the sport, not to impress or for money.

Go easy on us amateurs that spend 50-60 hrs a week working at something other than recreation. Then spend another 20-30 hours with family, coaching kids, church or other volunteer positions. Then when we have a free weekend, we head for the stream to relax or we spend an evening at the tying bench creating the works of art (in the eye of the beholder) that you call junk.

[troutchaser]

I admit to taking pride in what I tie. The last swap I participated in required 16 flies from each participant. I probably tied two dozen and sent only the best ones. I'll use the ones I didn't send.

I believe asking for the best from each swap participant isn't going too far. We should all try to do our best. On the other hand, expecting an amateur to tie a fly that rivals a professional's is not fair.

If I read Motroutbum's post correctly, he's just asking for your best work.

[motroutbum]

Thank you troutchaser. That is all im asking. I understand most of you are amatuer fisherman and tiers. And just like I said in my previous post, I understand that most of you have other priorities besides fly fishing. Terry, the idea of the swap is not to Umpqua catalog quality flies, I agree with you, I was just asking for a little help on the participants part to do the best work that they are capable of.

Im not trying to make my self sound eliteist in my posts. Im just speaking from experience. Yes I do consider myself and advanced/professional tier, because I do tie for my fly shop and my flies have to appeal to the customers, becuase if the people dont think my flies look good I wont sell them. I enjoy everyones flies and the commaradarie and recieving the flies. For the host of the fly swap it is like Christmas whenever there is a swap. I really enjoyed getting all the flies.

Im not calling them junk either, I was just saying to make the flies to the best of you ability. and send the best ones.

If you think I have an eliteist attitude then thats alright. I am more than willing to share my knowledge with anyone who wants to know.

[Danoinark]

Others would be work's of art, (those would be Dano's)

Oh wow, Kicknbass you are WAY to Kind. (by the way the checks in the mail )

I was always reluctant to get into a fly swap because I never felt my ties were on par with others. I feel the swaps can only make you a better tier. For one it typically forces you to tie the pattern more cognizant because you are WANTING to do your best. I can say that all of the ones I have received from the OAF swaps have been great and have served the purpose; to learn new techniques, compare materials and fish a new pattern.

Dano

[Terry Beeson]

I have no doubts you didn't intend so, but your original post did seem to suggest a need to be more "professional-like" when participating in fly swaps. I felt a bit of "maybe I'm not good enough" when I first read it. I don't think you meant to discourage anyone, but I did get that tone. But we all know that writing and reading something on the internet can be an articulation nightmare...

I have used swaps as an excuse to do more tying and like troutchaser, I have tied more than the requirement and sent only the best of those. Participating in swaps can be a learning experience for many amateurs like myself and a chance to see some top notch flies from guys like you, Jeremy, and otheres... (OK... I'll include Leonard in there too... )

Attending events like Sowbug and Conclave or going to watch Jeremy at Phil's and just hanging out with some pro tier working in the fly shop is a learning experience. However, maybe many of us would probably be better served to sit down and tie ourselves and have a pro tier to come by, critique, answer questions, and show us the tips and techniques that make for a better fly.

As I said in my earlier post, yes I do think you should attempt to put your best foot forward with the flies you submit, but that best foot might include the wrong size thread or wraps around the eye.

I was not offended by your post. I took what you said as far as tips for tying as a lesson learned. However I guess I just felt if I had asked for a critique of my flies, I would have felt better about such a posting...

[Kicknbass]

Im not calling them junk either, I was just saying to make the flies to the best of you ability. and send the best ones.

Come on MTB, Do you really think the tyers didn't give it their best effort, and or sent the worst flies? Your comments may have been well intended, but, not they were not well though out if it wasn't your intention.

If you think I have an eliteist attitude then thats alright. I am more than willing to share my knowledge with anyone who wants to know.

I have read many of your post in the past and they are extremely informative, helpful, and sincere. From them, I am sure that your intentions were not ill willed, or you were just having a bad day. (we've all been there) This post seemed to be very out of character.

By the way, what's wrong with using 3/0 thread on a #20 hook....I get tired of breaking that 8/0 thread. The big stuff is much more durable